Georgetown, Guyana — The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has condemned the government’s rollout of its $100,000 cash grant initiative, calling it unconstitutional due to a lack of parliamentary approval and public debate in the National Assembly. At a virtual press conference on November 4, WPA leader and presidential candidate Dr. David Hinds aligned the party with the stance of elder statesman Eusi Kwayana, who recently recommended that such significant disbursements be grounded in legislation to safeguard public accountability.
Dr. Hinds cited Article 217, Section 4 of Guyana’s Constitution, which mandates that public funds must be authorized by an act of Parliament. “Since the cash grant in question was not part of the 2024 budget, it is a violation of the Constitution to proceed with its implementation without legislative approval,” Hinds asserted. He emphasized Kwayana’s recent observation that “Parliament is the controller of the public purse,” and he raised concerns about the grant’s eventual review by the Auditor General.
Hinds also took issue with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s justification for avoiding parliamentary approval. According to Jagdeo, enshrining the cash grant in legislation would impose rigid recurring expenditures, which he argued could burden the government. Hinds dismissed this as “nonsensical,” suggesting that it reveals a “worrying disrespect for the rule of law.” The WPA argues that the lack of legislative oversight reflects what Hinds described as a “brazen autocratic act” by the government, jeopardizing transparent governance.
The WPA further called for a consistent legislative framework for cash grants to ensure fiscal transparency and responsibility, particularly given the impact of Guyana’s new oil wealth. “We believe any new legislation should also give retroactive cover to previous cash grants,” Hinds added, underscoring the need for a robust legal framework to govern future disbursements.
At the press conference, WPA leaders also criticized recent statements by Jagdeo targeting Kwayana and Professor Clive Thomas. Jagdeo had dismissed Thomas’s Buxton Proposal, which advocates allocating 10 percent of oil revenues annually to households, as unrealistic and divisive. Hinds countered that Jagdeo’s remarks misrepresent Thomas’s proposal and alleged that Jagdeo was attempting to discredit prominent public figures rather than address their concerns substantively.
Hinds accused Jagdeo of fostering what he called “institutional racism,” a charge that, according to the WPA, reflects broader issues within Guyanese politics. “The WPA serves notice to the vice president that his attacks on our leaders will not go unanswered,” Hinds stated, affirming the party’s commitment to challenging what they see as misleading and divisive rhetoric.
